Hazards that aren't covered include roof damage caused by general wear and tear or lack of maintenance. Mold, pests or birds, wet rot, mistakes made by a contractor or construction worker, and incorrect codes are examples of hazards that are not covered by home insurance. Yes, homeowners insurance covers roof leaks if they occur accidentally and suddenly due to a covered hazard, such as a storm with strong winds or hail. Slow leaks, or leaks caused by lack of maintenance, are generally not covered by home insurance.
Homeowners insurance generally covers mold only when it's caused by a hazard covered by an event that your home insurance policy will pay for, such as accidental water damage. Yes, homeowners insurance will cover water damage caused by a roof leak if the leak was sudden and accidental. Damage caused by a build-up of water or the failure of a sump pump can be costly, and is generally not covered by standard home insurance policies. If your roof was corroding before the leak began, your home insurance wouldn't cover the resulting damage because the necessary repairs would have prevented the leak from occurring in the first place.
If the cost of repairs exceeds your deductible, you should file a claim and receive compensation from your insurer. One of the benefits of investing in a roof replacement is that you'll generally be rewarded with lower home insurance premiums. For example, if a storm occurs and the wind blows away some of the roof shingles and causes rain to enter the roof, you're likely to have home insurance coverage. Roof leaks are covered by homeowners insurance if they are caused by a covered or identified hazard.
All insurance products are governed by the terms of the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval of coverage, premiums, fees and charges) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the insurer. Generally, a homeowners policy pays for mold damage only if it's caused by a covered problem, such as a broken pipe. However, whether your home insurance company will reimburse you for repairing a roof leak and any subsequent damage to your belongings depends on the original cause of the leak. If your home is damaged by a covered hazard, insurance companies are committed to compensating you for your losses.
For example, if your washing machine suddenly leaks and black mold forms on the floor, a housing policy will likely pay to remove mold. If an electrical storm causes a tree to fall on your house and rainwater enters through a crack in the roof, your home coverage would pay for roof repair and damage to your home. While your policy may cover mold damage caused by a broken appliance, it's probably not worth replacing the device; most insurers only cover the resulting water and mold damage, not the cause of the damage.
